Curriculum
“You Are Here”
What a feeling of relief it is to find a map and the words “You are here!” To understand the modern world, we must understand the United States and its role in the modern world. And to understand the U.S., we must understand its founding and its constitution. We have designed our curriculum accordingly.
American Principles
The Wayside School resembles the United States with a unifying structure and solidarity at the top combined with the semi-independent subsidiarity of the component parts—an integrated curriculum, teaching team, and technology implemented by each cohort in its own style.
Civic-Minded Leadership
As we live through what has been called a “crisis of contempt,” we need to train the next generation in civics—the art and science of bringing diverse people together into a shared story and community.
Four Pillars
We cultivate cross-partisan, multi-disciplinary, civil dialogue across four pillars of emphasis: liberty, equality, morality, and hospitality. The outcome of our endeavors is a well-rounded and courageous leader adept at both global and local leadership.
Weekly Rhythm
Monday.
Classes meet online for weekly lessons, with frequent breaks between each class meeting.
Tuesday.
Students work on assignments or assessments at home.
Wednesday.
Cohorts meet for discussion sections for further exploration and application of the weekly lessons.
Thursday & Friday.
Reading days at home and off-screen.
Yearly Rhythm.
(Courses listed with credit amounts.)
Year A - Explore the Roots.
Ancient & Medieval Literature (1)
Foundations of the U.S. Founding (1)
Microeconomics (0.5)
Logic (1)
Physics (1)
Personal Finance (0.5)
Math (by course) (1)
Seminar in Civic Virtue: Habits in Context (1)
Year B - Early U.S. History.
British & American Literature, 1550-1900 (1)
Writing Workshop & Research Project (1)
U.S. Founding in Global Context, 1750-1890 (1)
Macroeconomics (0.5)
International Relations (0.5)
Chemistry (1)
Math (by course) (1)
Seminar in Civic Virtue: The Bible & Comparative Worldview (1)
Year C - The 20th Century.
World Literature, 1760-Present (1)
World History, 1890-Present (1)
Leadership Studies (1)
U.S. Government & Politics (0.5)
Legal Studies (0.5)
Biology (1)
Math (by course) (1)
Seminar in Civic Virtue: Ethics & Vocation (1)